BBC compares four PMPs with WiFi and video

I know that a UMPC will cost two to three times more than the tested portable media players, but I would have loved to see how the BBC thinks one stacks up. Oh well, probably not a fair comparison against the Sony PSP, Archos 605wifi, Nokia N800 and iPod Touch. Those are the four PMPs that get a brief but solid overview in the areas of design, audio, video, and web browsing. If you're in the market for a PMP with wireless and web browsing capabilities but want to keep the price under a few hundred dollars, each of these is a worth contender. I wouldn't exactly call the N800 a PMP, but it is quite capable for audio and video on that nice screen.

One approach I take when considering a device is listing out what my planned activities are for it. Additionally, I try to figure out what percentage of time I'd be using the functions, i.e.: 60% browsing, 30% video, 10% audio as a quick example. That tells me that a device with seamless WiFi connections and a good screen would be worth more than external speakers. You get the idea: nail down your requirements and then evaluate the options based on those.

Comments

[Art Kavanagh]

According to the BBC, "The Archos has the highest resolution and the best DPI". In fact, the Archos has the same resolution (800 × 400) as the N800 and, at 4.3", just a marginally bigger screen.

What I really want is a device with the Nokia's screen size and resolution, its Bluetooth connectivity and its openness to installing new applications, combined with the iPod's multitouch interface. (Actually, that's not true. What I REALLY want is a Palm Foleo, but I'll settle for an "i800 touch".)